United States Court of Federal Claims, 2026

Hartley v. Secretary of Health and Human Services

United States Court of Federal Claims · Decided September 22, 2026 · Brian H. Corcoran

Opinion

In the United States Court of Federal Claims

OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 25-1621V

DANIEL HARTLEY,

Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner,

v. Filed: August 17, 2026 SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES,

Respondent.

Amber Diane Wilson, Wilson Science Law, Washington, D.C., for Petitioner.

Madison Murray, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.

RULING ON ENTITLEMENT 1

On September 30, 2025, Daniel Hartley filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, 42 U.S.C. §300aa-10, et seq. 2 (the “Vaccine Act”). Petitioner alleges that he suffered from Guillain-Barre Syndrome (“GBS”) following an influenza vaccination he received on August 27, 2024. Petition at ¶¶ 4, 7. Petitioner further alleges that his “vaccine related injuries have lasted more than six months.” Id. at ¶ 22. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters.

On August 17, 2026, Respondent filed his Rule 4(c) report in which he concedes that Petitioner is entitled to compensation in this case. Respondent’s Rule 4(c) Report at 1. Specifically, Respondent states that “Petitioner has satisfied the criteria set forth in the Vaccine Injury Table (Table) and the Qualifications and Aids to Interpretation (QAI), which afford Petitioner a presumption of causation if the onset of GBS occurs between three and forty-two days after a seasonal flu vaccine.” Id. at 7-8. Respondent further agrees that “Petitioner also satisfies the Vaccine Act, including that no alternative cause more likely explains his condition and that his condition has persisted for more than six months.” Id.

In view of Respondent’s position and the evidence of record, I find that Petitioner is entitled to compensation.

IT IS SO ORDERED. s/Brian H. Corcoran Brian H. Corcoran Chief Special Master

1 Because this Ruling contains a reasoned explanation for the action taken in this case, it must be made publicly accessible and will be posted on the United States Court of Federal Claims' website, and/or at https://www.govinfo.gov/app/collection/uscourts/national/cofc, in accordance with the E-Government Act of 2002. 44 U.S.C. § 3501 note (2018) (Federal Management and Promotion of Electronic Government Services). This means the Ruling will be available to anyone with access to the internet. In accordance with Vaccine Rule 18(b), Petitioner has 14 days to identify and move to redact medical or other information, the disclosure of which would constitute an unwarranted invasion of privacy. If, upon review, I agree that the identified material fits within this definition, I will redact such material from public access. 2 National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, Pub. L. No. 99-660, 100 Stat. 3755. Hereinafter, for ease of citation, all section references to the Vaccine Act will be to the pertinent subparagraph of 42 U.S.C. § 300aa (2018).

Case-law data current through September 30, 2026. Source: CourtListener bulk data.